Sensationail 2016 Ambassador

Hello mis amores!

I have the most exciting news ever! I have been chosen as a Sensationail Ambassador this year. Me and other girls have been given the opportunity to represent this great brand.

Here is a little background information on my love for Sensationail. When I first started my nail art obsession a couple of years ago, I kept hearing about a 'shellac' or 'gel' manicure. As a nail newbie, you know I had to research more about this great thing. I mean, nail polish that lasts for two weeks without chipping and that dries INSTANTLY??? Of course, it was only logical that I went on a quest for this magical polish.

So, here I was watching video reviews, nail looks, etc. I brand kept popping on my feed, it was Sensationail. I decided to give it a try and bought the starter kit that came with an LED lamp, two nail polishes (sheer pink and white) for French tips, nail wraps for french tips as well, a base and top coat in one, a orange wood stick, a two-sided mini nail file, lint-free wipes (which I love), gel cleanser and gel primer. When I bought the kit, it was retailing for $59.

I was so scared at first, because I was a little messy with my nail polish application and all the 'warnings' kept saying 'DO NOT GET IT ON THE SKIN." So it took me well over two hours to do my nails because I was being so careful. The instructions were super easy to follow and the lamp very easy to use. I checked for some inspiration online because French tips are not really my thing unless, they have an extra 'oomph.' So, here is my fist look, totally stolen from google. Very first time using gel nail polish. Not bad huh? That's because it was Sensationail that made it simple for me. Since then, I instantly fell in love with the brand. You can click  here to see how old this post really is.

Now, two years later, I am chosen to be one of the ambassadors! I am still in shock. To me, this is a great deal. A huge honor!

I will be sharing the swatches of my first set of goodies I received. I will leave that for another post because I wanted to focus this one on the back story of my love for Sensationail.

I hope this was helpful to you and you give it try. The starter kit is retailing for 70% off the original price at Sensationail store on Amazon.  If you want to try gel polish, I totally recommend this. You have nothing to lose, I promise you'll fall in love with it.

Lots of love,
Bellini

How To Use Nail Art Foils

Hey Hey Hey! *


If you've tried to use nail art foils in the past, you know how frustrating it is to see the gorgeous design brake right before your eyes. We've all know the struggle! A couple of weeks ago,I posted a mani on my IG and my lovely friend asked me how did I get the nail art foils to work. I told her that gel nail polish is the answer. So, I decided to do a tutorial on how to apply them. Just a little note, I am not an expert by any means. In fact, there are still things I need to learn.

I didn't spell out each step but  I will list the instructions here. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to let me know.

Steps:

1. Remove the shine from the nail bed. Lightly buff the surface. Do NOT do it too harshly or you'll weaken your nails. I used a INM Buffer/Finisher DUET Nail File 180/280. I used the softer side (280 grit).

2. Using a lint-free wipe damped in a nail surface gel cleanser or isopropyl 99% alchol, clean the nail bed to remove any debris. I used Gelish Mini Cleanser

3. Apply a primer/dehydrator to create a maximum relationship between your nails and the gel polish. Your nails should look chalky after this step. I used pH Bond by Gelish

4. Apply a thin coat of gel base coat and cure for one minute or follow the instructions of your nail polish brand. Most cure in one minute.

5. Apply a thin coat of white gel nail polish. Cure for one minute. Then, apply a thin coat of neon pink gel polish. I used Louvain Gel Lacquer Splendide - 111. The white base helps the color pop a little more.

6. Add a coat of foil glue and let dry. This step is VERY important. You must let the glue dry before moving on. It turns completely clear when it dries.

7. Add your pre-cut foil pieces to each nail. One at a time. Use a rubber cuticle pusher to help with gently rubbing the foils on your nails. The foils should come off easily if you've done it correctly.

8. Apply a thin coat of top coat and cure for one minute.

9. If you use any regular gel top coat, you need to wipe off the tacky residue after curing your top coat. I used Louvain Top Coat so there is no need to remove that layer.

First foil post

Love,
Bellini


*Hey Hey Hey is a 'signature' phrase of an anime character I love It is from the show "Haikyuu"

INM Out The Door Nail Lacquer Swatches and Review

Hi Darlings!

I have been very quiet about this whole situation but I think it is time for me to say something. About 2 1/2 months ago I was contacted to be part of a digital marketing campaign for a world renown company. Of course, the excitement was such I could barely contain myself.  The demands from sponsoring company as well as the PR firm were very high. There was a lot of work we (other bloggers too) had to do. But we still accepted to work with this company. 

After a couple of days of posting my looks all over my social media (as requested), I received an email saying to stop posting anything related to the campaign. I was told the campaign was on hold and I needed to await further instructions. I was puzzled and started looking all over social media to find out anything that could hint me why this had happened. One of the ladies who was also involved in this, invited me and other girls to discuss about this. It was then, when I really discovered what the truth behind that suspicious email. 

There was a so called "Nail Professional" complaining about us being promoters of such brand. She started saying so many hurtful things. Now, they do not have any effect on me anymore. They just come to show how "professional" this person is. This situation got worse every day. It got to the point that this famous company called me and my fellow bloggers 'liars.' I was told I misrepresented myself as a nail professional. This accusation, led to cyber-bullying of some of my fellow bloggers. We just kept quiet. We let everything run its course. It had to end at some point, right?

Now,  the awesome thing is that this horrible story has a sweet ending!!!! 

INM (International Nail Manufacturers) heard about this horrendous situation and decided to take action. Although, they had not part or say on the campaign gone wrong, they reached out to EVERY single one of us affected and apologized for the behavior of this other company. They showed compassion. They showed respect. They showed maturity and best of all, they showed a human side in a international nail industry. They wanted to make things right! They sent us a box of their products as a gift for having to deal with humiliation. 

I might sound bias but I can guarantee you that INM has a loyal customer for life. They're products are of great quality. Their cuticle oils smell AMAZING! 

I hope I didn't bore you guys with this story but I felt that I had to say it. I did not want to mention names because that's just not nice. Besides, who wouldn't be happy with all the goodies from INM?

So, here are the swatches of the nail polishes I received. I will talk about the formula in each of them. 

First swatch is 'Casino Royale.' This is a rich very pigmented red with orange undertones. It only took two coats to cover completely. My favorite 'go to' red used to be "Unequivocally Crimson" by OPI and 'Casino Royale' is just as good. The formula is on point. The brushes on this polishes are just the right size. I feel they're not as thin as Essie's or as thick as OPI's. 

Casino Royale

Next is 'Foxy.' This one is a deep berry color. It is also very pigmented. It took two coats for complete coverage. The formula is so easy to work with. I created a look with this color and mattified it and it became even more beautiful.

Foxy

This next color is called 'Granite.' It is extremely pigmented. You could get away with one coat depending on your application. For absolute flawless coverage, you can use two coats. The swatch below is with two coats. I love how soft this grey is. Believe or not, this is the only grey I own. 

Granite 

The next color is 'Exposed.' This one made my jaw drop to the floor. It is rare that a nude color would cover with one or even two coats. It is a creme formula with - by far - the best pigmentation I have tried on a nude. The swatch below is with only ONE coat. Yes, you read it right, only ONE coat. That is simply awesome!!!!!

Exposed

My next swatch is 'Celine's Jelly Bean.' A cute pastel pink. Another creme super pigmented color. The picture shows two coats. That would be enough for complete coverage. I am sure these formulas would be good for water marbling and stamping. I have not tried either one but per what I can see, I think they'd work. That will be my next exploration. 

Celine's Jelly Bean

Next up is 'Zinnia.' This is a darker purple polish. I think of this as my 'go to' purple. I need a quick purple mani, this would be the color I'd reach out for to achieve my look. It is the perfect hue to flatter any skin tone. Though, I think I prefer to see purples on darker complexions. Purples just look better on them. 

Zinnia

The following color is called 'Seven Seas.' Let me start off by saying I have no idea how to describe this color. Is it a dark/deep teal? Is it blue? Is it green? Is it a dark bluish-green? Whatever the color is, I think is a beautiful autumn color. I am sure this would also look gorgeous on the toes. I will have to do that this weekend. Just like the other colors above, this is pretty pigmented and with a creme consistency. It took several frames to finally get the somewhat real color through the camera. I had to use natural lighting for this one; hence, the difference in positions and lighting. 

Seven Seas

The next color is "Glow Worm.' I think this is least favorite of the collection. I don't mean I don't like it, it's just that I don't think green flatters my weird skin tone. :) This color is the least pigmented as well. It took three coats to cover completely. it is not translucid like a neon green is but it is not as pigmented as the rest of  the INM polishes I received. One great thing, it did not stain my nails. I only had it for a couple of minutes while swatching but I know other greens would have already stained pretty bad. 

Glow Worm

Last but not least is 'Bananigans.' The name got me sold. I love this pastel yellow creme. A pigmented polish that would cover completely in two coats. Formulation is great as the rest of the polishes. 

Bananigans

After that long intro, I hope you are still with me! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog and reading about my drama. :) 

Lots of love,
Bellini

March Madness Collection by Nailed It Nail Polish

Dear loves,

March is my birthday month and I received the sweetest surprise from a super special friend of mine. I met her on Instagram and we have become very close now. She sent me the most generous birthday package containing the March Madness Collection by Nailed It Nail Polish.

Here are the swatches of this collection.

Be sure to check out Tia and her awesome hand-crafted nail polish line.

I hope you like them and let me know if you get to try them. :)

First up is "Purple Peep Show." This is a purple micro-glitter nail polish. It has a small amount of holographic glitter. It took two coats to get the color in the bottle.

Purple Peep Show

Second is "Pot 'O Gold." Gold micro-glitter with  small amounts of holographic glitters. Unfortunately, my swatch does not show all the beautiful details of this color. This swatch was with two coats of "Pot 'O Gold."

Pot 'O Gold

Third one up is "Cadburys & Cream." This is bright orange. Not as bright as a neon but close. It has some beautiful gold shimmers that make this color shine bright. When looking at this color up-close in person, it reminds me of a orange creamsicle. It almost feels like it shifts from orange to subtle touches of gold. 

Cadburys & Cream

Next color in the March Madness Collection is "Jerry Belly." This is such a beautiful blue micro-glitter. It has a slightest touch of purple that makes this color shift from purple to blue depending on the lighting. Every time I wear this color, I can't stop looking at my nails and playing with the lighting. LOL 

Jerry Belly

Up next is "Shake Your Shamrock." Fist of all, let say, I LOVE the name.  It is a minty glittery goodness. Just like most of this collection, this is a micro-glitter nail polish. It has soft golden glitters. The swatch for this color is a little different because I got this color before the rest of the collection. I had put on acrylic nails when I swatched it. 

Of course I had to leave the BEST for last. The following color is my ABSOLUTE favorite of the entire collection.  It is called "Emerald Isle." I seriously do not think I've ever owned a nail polish that is packed with glitters from the first swatch. I kid you not!!! This swatch only took two coats. There is no digging or lots of manipulation to get the glitter goodness. The glitters are hexagons of dark and light green, gold and holographic. 

Emerald Isle

What did you think of this collection? What was your favorite color? Would you give it a try? 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! 

Love, 

Bellini